Wyoming Homeschool Supplies Checklist: Everything You Need

Before you launch your Wyoming homeschool, you need supplies. But what exactly? This checklist covers everything from curriculum books to pencils to office organization—plus budget-friendly options and where to find deals.

Key Takeaways

• Core needs: Curriculum for 7 subjects, writing supplies, basic organization
• Technology: Not required but helpful (computer, internet, educational apps)
• Budget flexibility: Spend $600-2500/year depending on approach
• Free resources: Library, open educational resources, YouTube
• Used curriculum: Significant savings through secondhand sources

Curriculum & Books (The Big Expense)

Essential for each child:

Reading/Language Arts

• [ ] Reading curriculum (All About Reading, IEW, Brave Writer, IXL)
• [ ] Grammar resource (Writing With Ease, IEW, DayByDay Grammar)
• [ ] Penmanship/handwriting (Handwriting Without Tears, HWT cursive)

Cost: $100-400/year

Money-saving tips:
– Use library for read-alouds and literature
– Free options: Khan Academy ELA, BrainPOP (free trial)

Math

• [ ] Math curriculum (Singapore Math, Saxon, Beast Academy, IXL)
• [ ] Manipulatives if needed (base-10 blocks, fraction sets, counters)

Cost: $100-400/year

Money-saving tips:
– Used curriculum on Facebook groups
– Khan Academy (free)
– IXL (subscription-based, ~$10/month)

Science

• [ ] Science curriculum (Elemental Science, Apologia, Homeschool Science Lab)
• [ ] Basic lab supplies (beakers, test tubes, thermometer, scales)
• [ ] Field trip guides for Wyoming sites

Cost: $150-400/year

Money-saving tips:
– Many experiments use kitchen items
– Library science books
– YouTube science channels (free)

History

• [ ] History curriculum (Story of the World, Veritas Press, Mystery of History)
• [ ] Historical fiction for literature integration

Cost: $100-300/year

Money-saving tips:
– Library has extensive history section
– Used curriculum/books

Literature

• [ ] Approved reading list or curriculum guide
• [ ] Classic books (library or used)

Cost: $50-200/year

Money-saving tips:
– Library is your best friend
– Project Gutenberg (free digital classics)
– Used books

Civics & Government

• [ ] Civics curriculum (iCivics, Constitution books)
• [ ] Wyoming & US Constitution guides

Cost: $20-100/year

Money-saving tips:
– Many free civics resources online
– iCivics is free

Writing

• [ ] Writing curriculum (IEW, Writing With Ease, Bravewriter)
• [ ] Narration/journaling supplies

Cost: $100-300/year

Money-saving tips:
– Free writing prompts online
– Used curriculum

Total curriculum cost: $620-2,100/year per child

Writing & Office Supplies

Stock up on:

• [ ] Pencils (regular and mechanical)
• [ ] Colored pencils
• [ ] Markers and dry-erase markers
• [ ] Pens (ballpoint and gel)
• [ ] Pencil sharpener
• [ ] Erasers
• [ ] Lined notebook paper (500 sheets)
• [ ] Blank white paper (500 sheets)
• [ ] Printer paper (if printing curriculum)
• [ ] Notecards and index cards
• [ ] Post-it notes
• [ ] Paper clips, stapler, staples
• [ ] Tape (regular and painter’s tape)
• [ ] Scissors
• [ ] Glue stick and liquid glue
• [ ] Folders or filing system
• [ ] Three-ring binders
• [ ] Sheet protectors
• [ ] Whiteboard and dry-erase markers

Budget: $50-100 for initial stock; $20-30/year replenishment

Pro tip: Buy basics at warehouse stores (Costco, Sam’s Club) for bulk savings.

Learning Space Setup

• [ ] Desk or table for student
• [ ] Comfortable chair
• [ ] Shelving for curriculum and supplies
• [ ] File box or filing cabinet for records
• [ ] Bulletin board or whiteboard for schedule
• [ ] Desk lamp for good lighting
• [ ] Storage containers for supplies

Budget: $200-800 (varies greatly; used furniture works fine)

Technology (Optional but Helpful)

Devices

• [ ] Computer or laptop (for student and parent)
• [ ] Printer (for curriculum/worksheets)
• [ ] Reliable internet connection

Software & Subscriptions

• [ ] Educational apps: IXL ($10-15/month), Khan Academy (free), BrainPOP ($8-10/month)
• [ ] Attendance/record tracking: Skedtrack or HLS (optional)
• [ ] Google Workspace (free email, docs, sheets)
• [ ] Video platform for online courses: YouTube (free), Outschool

Budget: $0-200/month depending on choices

Math & Science Supplies

Math manipulatives:
– [ ] Base-10 blocks
– [ ] Fraction sets
– [ ] Counting blocks or counters
– [ ] Ruler, measuring tape
– [ ] Protractor
– [ ] Compass
– [ ] Graph paper

Science equipment:
– [ ] Magnifying glass
– [ ] Thermometer
– [ ] Simple scale
– [ ] Beakers and measuring cups
– [ ] Flashlight
– [ ] Notebook for observations
– [ ] Safety goggles (if doing experiments)

Budget: $50-150

Art & Enrichment Supplies

• [ ] Colored pencils
• [ ] Watercolors or acrylics
• [ ] Canvas or watercolor paper
• [ ] Sketch pad
• [ ] Drawing pencils
• [ ] Chalk or pastels
• [ ] Clay or modeling material
• [ ] Construction paper
• [ ] Craft supplies (pipe cleaners, pom-poms, felt, etc.)

Budget: $30-100

Field Trip & Travel Materials

Wyoming has incredible field trip opportunities:

• [ ] Notebooks or journals for field trips
• [ ] Camera or smartphone for documentation
• [ ] Binoculars (for Yellowstone, nature study)
• [ ] Guidebooks: Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Wyoming state attractions
• [ ] Hiking supplies if exploring outdoors

Budget: $0-150 (much free; binoculars are main expense)

Record-Keeping & Organization

• [ ] Attendance record template (digital or paper)
• [ ] Grade recording system
• [ ] Portfolio folder or filing system
• [ ] Transcript template
• [ ] Work samples organization
• [ ] Digital backup system (cloud storage)

Budget: $0-20 (mostly free if using spreadsheets and folders)

Reference Materials

• [ ] Dictionary (physical or online)
• [ ] Thesaurus
• [ ] Encyclopedia or reference books
• [ ] Grammar guide
• [ ] Writing handbook
• [ ] State/national standards (available free online)

Budget: $0-50

Subscription Services Worth Considering

Educational subscriptions:
– IXL Math & Language Arts: $10-15/month (comprehensive)
– Khan Academy: Free (video lessons, practice)
– BrainPOP: $8-10/month (animated lessons across subjects)
– Outschool: $10-50/class (live online classes, flexible)
– Mystery of History online: $10/month (if using curriculum)

Library services:
– Local public library: Free (books, audiobooks, databases, sometimes online courses)
– Wyoming State Library: Free (online resources)
– Hoopla: Free through library (audiobooks, movies, ebooks)

Budget Breakdown by Approach

Budget-Conscious:
– Curriculum: $400-600/year
– Supplies: $30-50/year
– Free resources: library, YouTube, open education
– Total: $430-650/year per child

Moderate:
– Curriculum: $800-1200/year
– Supplies: $75-100/year
– Some tech/subscriptions: $20-50/month
– Total: $1195-1900/year per child

Well-Resourced:
– Comprehensive curriculum: $1500-2000/year
– Full tech setup: $200-400/year
– Subscriptions & online classes: $100-200/year
– Total: $1800-2600/year per child

Where to Find Deals

Secondhand curriculum:
– Facebook homeschool groups (Wyoming-specific and national)
– Rainbow Resource Center classifieds
– Used curriculum websites (HomeschoolCloseouts, CurriculumMall)
– Local homeschool co-ops

New supplies at discount:
– Costco/Sam’s Club (paper, pencils in bulk)
– Amazon (subscribe & save for recurring items)
– Back-to-school sales (July-August)
– Thrift stores (furniture, basic supplies)

Free resources:
– Public library (books, databases, often programs)
– Open Educational Resources (OER)
– YouTube educational channels
– State/federal education websites
– Project Gutenberg (free books)

The Minimalist Approach

You can start with surprisingly little:

• 1-2 good curricula (math & language arts)
• Library books (science, history, literature)
• Basic supplies (paper, pencils, notebooks)
• Free online resources (Khan Academy, YouTube)

Start small, add as needed. Many homeschool families begin basic and expand after seeing what works for their child.

Summary & Action Steps

1. Determine your budget: $650-2600/year is typical range
2. Choose curriculum first: This will be largest expense
3. Gather free resources: Library card + online resources = huge savings
4. Buy supplies in bulk: Warehouse stores save money
5. Organize your space: Doesn’t need to be fancy, just functional
6. Plan for growth: You’ll add to supplies over time as you learn what works

Wyoming homeschooling doesn’t require expensive setup. A good curriculum, library access, basic supplies, and your commitment to teach are the real essentials.

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